Hi All

Hi Bakery manager53 and a warm welcome to the board. How do I make friends with my stoma? I gave mine a name Lily Ileostomy and tried to view her as a necessary part of my recovery. I regarded the stuff in the bag as ‘output’ rather than faeces. 
You are still early days into your recovery and I remember my bag/pouch contents as being particularly whiffy for the first few weeks but then improved. There is such a thing as poo pourri which I think you spray into the toilet before using it or I’ve heard lighting a match and blowing it out can help neutralise nasty smells - I used to spray some bathroom spray and open the window!
Changing your bag gets quicker with practice and once your stoma has stopped shrinking then you will be able to get bags ready cut. I used to line up everything up on the bathroom windowsill and then changed my bag over the basin filled with warm water. There are lots of different bags on the market and hopefully your nurse will give you a few to try. Ask her to cut you a few bags at your next appointment then use the plastic peel off bit as a template for cutting your own.

Theres loads of advice and top tips on the stoma board so have a read of some of the posts and ask anything you like - people will answer honestly and be glad to help

 Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support 

Take care

Karen x

Hi Bakery manager53

I remember well feeling overwhelmed managing Whoopi in the early days. I felt it took over my life. After joining the stoma group I found confidence in going out and living life to the full 

Theyre a great bunch and have so many tips. 

Hope all goes well with the stoma nurses 

best wishes 

Thank you ladies for the kind welcome and tips :) x Going to check out the stoma forum :) 

You can ask them anything. They’re really supportive